Delivering on customer’s expectations is always a hot topic and it is no different when it comes to the wood treatment industry. Lonza Wood Protection believes that customer relationships and depth of expertise are the key brand differentiators in today’s competitive market.
“An optimally run treatment plant is an important part of the business operation and can only be achieved if it is professionally maintained. Therefore, we view our technical support as an opportunity to differentiate our products and services and to ensure that the tangible benefits of Tanalith® and Vacsol® preservatives are felt in our customer’s businesses,” said JJ du Plessis, Senior Business Manager of Lonza Wood Protection South Africa.
This is achieved by providing a full scope of engineering services from project management for upgrades and new plant installations right through to the commissioning that involves plant inspections according to SANS 10005 specifications and pressure certification consultation as per SANS 347. A maintenance service includes preventative maintenance schedules and the sourcing of spare parts for treatment plants.
Recently Lonza successfully installed a Tanalith® C treatment plant to improve the production and growth of an Eastern Cape customer’s business.
“This project presented the challenge of space constraints for the location for the new treatment plant. Our engineering team made the necessary adjustments and modifications for a more compact and tailormade solution and a custom size vessel was manufactured and installed within a short turnaround time,” explained du Plessis.
Lonza is also actively engaged at the Komaza plant, which is the first Tanalised® wood preservative treatment plant along the Kenyan coast. The plant was installed last year and to ensure ongoing support in Komaza’s production of quality treated poles.
“We have recently returned from a site visit where we conducted a technical inspection to ensure that the treatment plant was running at an optimal level and thereby yielding the operational cost-saving benefits for Komaza. Refresher training sessions on preventative maintenance were also carried out with their wood scientist, plant operators and management. This forms part of our ongoing after-sales service to our customers,” said du Plessis.
Tzaneng Group is headed by Riaan Du Plessis, who boasts over 2 decades experience in the forestry and timber industry and has an established reputation as one of the leaders in the Sub Saharan utility pole market. When Tzaneng identified an increasing demand in the local and export market for Tanalised® C wood preservative, Lonza’s engineering proficiency in the most recent design and requirements for a project of this nature was recognized.
“Their knowledge and expertise are of an exceptionally high standard and quality, which has given us tremendous peace of mind and confidence in their product,” said Riaan Du Plessis.
du Plessis concluded, “Lonza’s proven track record in the design and installation of treatment plants is a draw card in partnering with us. Our engineers have made it their priority to ensure that our customers benefit from a full-service support in order for their businesses to prosper in the wood treatment industry. This commitment forms part of Lonza’s dedication to supporting the growth and development of the South and East African wood industry as a whole.”
Source: Lonza
